Improvement in fire-boxes of locomotives



PATBNTED Nov. 17; .1863,

J. P. LAIRD'. PIRE BOX 0F LOGOMOTIV UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN P. LAIRD, OF ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE-BXES OF LOCOMOTIVES. p

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 40,630, dated November 17, 1863.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JOHN P. LAIRD, of Altoona, Blair county, Pennsylvania, have invented an lmproven'lent in the Fire-Boxes of LocomotiveBoilers and I do herehydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon. Y My invention consists of certain ltubes arranged within the fire-box of a locomotiveboiler, substantially as described hereinafter, so as to serve as an eticient support for a partition of tire-clay or other refractory material, which, as hitherto supported in the tire-boxes of locomotives, has been liable to become loose and drop onto the flieht-he said tubes at the same time adding to the heating surface and capacity of the boiler.

In order to enable others to carry out my invention, I will now proceed to describe the manner otconstructng the same.

On reference to the accompanying drawings, which form apart ot' this specitication, Figure l is a vertical section ot' suiicient cfav locomotiveboiler to illustrate my invention; and Fig. 2 a transverse section on the line l 2, Fig. 1.

A represents the top of the boiler above the fire-box, B, the front of the boiler, C, the roof of the nre-box D, the front of the same; E, there-ar plate of the fire-box or tubeplate; F, the opening for the admission oi' the fuel, and G- the grate. H H are tubes, each of which is bent abruptly at h, one end being secured to the roof C of the fire-box and the.

other end to the tubeplate E. These tubes are arranged at a suitable distance apart from each other, as seen in Fig. 2, and occupy Within the fire-box the inclined position shown in Figi. On the top of the inclined portion of the tubes H rest the tiles I, of tire-brick, or other material capable of resisting the action of the tire, these tiles being arranged in as many pieces or sections as may be deemed convenient.

It has beeufound in practice that a reclay partition Aarranged within the tire-box of a locomotive-boiler in the inclined position illustrated in Fig. 1, tending'as it does to direct the products of combustion from the rear to the front of the tire-box, has the effect of causing the smoke and gases to be consumed,. especially when there are openings w at the rear of the tire-box for the admission of small jets of air to a point a short distance below the partition. Great difteuity has, however, been experienced in maintaining these partitions of friable material entire, the motion of the locomotive tending to break and displace the vslabs or tiles. It will be seen that the tubesH overcome this defect, as they form a firm and indestructible foundation ou which the tiles rest, at the same time the tubes add' to the heating surface and capacity of the boiler, and aii'ord a medium for the free circulation of water in the neighborhood of the fireboX.

I am aware that the use of tubes for supporting combustion-chambers in tire-'boxes has been proposed. I therefore no not desire to claim, broadly, the use of tubes for supporting fire-clay bricks or tiles in the' dre-boxes of locomotives, nor do I claim, broadly, the fireclay partition I; but

I limit my claim to, and desire to secure Letters Patent fory The within-described arrangement of tubes H, passing from the rear plate or tube-sheet to the crown, for the purpose ofsustaining the partition I, of fire-clay or other refractory material, Within the tire-box of a locomotive, boiler, in the manner herein set forth.

In testimony whereof 'I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN P. LAIRD.

Witnesses:

J oHN WHITE, CHARLES HoWsoN. 

